Rowling has just recently revealed that Dumbledore is gay. Sure, I’ve heard the name before, but I don’t know anything about the character because I don’t read the books. Apparently he’s a well respected all-knowing gray bearded wizard.
Here’s my question: Who the hell cares? I’m not sure why Rowling did this, and more importantly why this is even news. Did Dumbledore create world peace, did he do anything besides be a fictional character? I’m really lost as to why this created such a stir, both positive and negative as it was a real person.
“Jo Rowling calling any Harry Potter character gay would make wonderful strides in tolerance toward homosexuality,” Melissa Anelli, Webmaster of the fan site http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org, told The Associated Press. “By dubbing someone so respected, so talented and so kind, as someone who just happens to be also homosexual, she’s reinforcing the idea that a person’s gayness is not something of which they should be ashamed.”
” ‘DUMBLEDORE IS GAY’ is quite a headline to stumble upon on a Friday evening, and it’s certainly not what I expected,” added Potter fan Patrick Ross, of Rutherford, New Jersey. “(But) a gay character in the most popular series in the world is a big step for Jo Rowling and for gay rights.”
Umm, what? This is serious, right? Apparently the gay community is supposed to use a fictional character to champion their cause for equality? Maybe I’m missing something, but if I’m gay, I don’t want this to be something I hang my hat on. “Oh wait, look, Dumbledore was gay and he was well respected.” How would this have any effect on whether gays are perceived any differently. There are plenty of gay people in big important rules that are much better role models, and speakers for something like this, rather than a made up book character.
It may sound like I’m anti-gay. I’m not. I’m completely indifferent to whether a person is gay, and thus was completely oblivious to when I read this headline. The only thing that bothered me, was that it’s a headline in the first place. Is Rowling trying to create controversy? Is she trying to further equality? I don’t know. I don’t care. It’s a book about sorcerers and flying brooms. I’m not sure anyone should take anything away from it, except enjoyment if they like that sort of thing.
Filed under: rant, social | Tagged: Books, Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Rowling
I would like to see a continuation of the topic
Dumbledore was one of the most respected, loved and role modle worthy chartacter in the Harry Potter series. He made important steps in the tolerance towards mudbloods. (People with who have muggle ancestory.) Which is like being gay in the wizarding world. Harry Potter has touched the hearts of many people in this world. Me included. This book has been reads by kids across the globe and Dumbledore being gay means that all those young impresionable children who respect and love Dumbledore will have one more reason to accept and tolerate homosexual people. That is why its a big deal. The leaders of tommorow are leaning to accept one another through a common ground, Harry Potter.